I got nuthin' new tonight

So I'll just share one of my favorite NGDB songs:



Meanwhile, I'm getting ready to head out of town tomorrow, heading up country* to do some deer hunting.

*I've never actually seen these guys before, though I toss this CD in the player every time I "go up country". But I swear that singer with the weird little sunglasses reminds me of the dude in this "free credit report dot com" commercial. Perhaps I should have seen that coming at me "like an atom bomb".

"Richard..."

So when I got home from work this evening, I had an invite as a "friend" (for whatever my "friendship" is worth) from my wonderful blog partner Emily, specifically on Youtube. By which lovely invite I discovered that Youtube allows one to invite friends. Also to add favorite videos. I had not known this before, being old and technologically dweebish.

Immediately I started adding favorite videos, mostly from recent posts concerning the Big Band Era. Gad, I loves me some old time rock 'n' roll and some country/western, but I've been on a Big Band kick recently.

Also, before it goes away forever, I searched back through some 'Pints posts for cool stuff. Found some, some of which I've added to my Youtube favorites.

But one I came across some time back is just too cool for words, even if parts are totally un-PC. As the lovely Juliette says, "you know they would have been toast had it been 2008".

Indeed.

Oxymoron alert

Quick, can anybody describe, in 25 words or less, what exactly is wrong with this album?

This is so wrong

As Ricki says about Granny singing "Big Gazongas", which is indeed extremely funny, there is something very wrong about rendering the Great and Powerful Marty Robbins in World of Warcraft style.

But it is weirdly impressive, in a weirdly impressive sort of way:

Country/Western Trivia (Teddy the Dog edition)

Well, not really any trivia questions. Too damned tired from doing the Sainted Bride's bidding on that damned garden project in the backyard, which required roto-tilling, several hundred pounds of compost, and several hundred pounds of stone for a garden path.

Seriously, I thought about doing a trivia quiz but it ain't happenin'. So I thought I'd embed this vid of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's signature tune, which includes the part up front that lots of folks haven't heard of Uncle Charlie and his dog Teddy. Listen to the whole thing. To this day, since I acquired the album and heard Uncle Charlie, I can't listen to "Mr. Bojangles" in any way, shape, or form, without hearing Uncle Charlie and Teddy:



UPDATE: Damn. Did I ever mention how much I love Sammy Davis, Jr.? I've heard lots of his stuff but I never heard him singing "Mr. Bojangles". Well here he is doing so. RIP Sammy, we'll always love you.

Sore

Roto-tilling sucks. Not as much as doing it with a shovel, but it still sucks. Jeez, I'm sore. I suspect I'll be even more sore tomorrow.

Well this pisses me off

I was running around the lab a few minutes ago, then went back to the office just in time to catch part of the top-of-the-hour newsfeed. Seems there was some guy whose house was foreclosed on.

So he trashed it. Petty little bastard.

Yet the news story tried to make him out like a victim. Well, he might have gotten a smidgen of sympathy from were it not for trashing the house.

Oh, and the city (Fremont? Not sure, didn't hear it clearly) gave the bank three days to clean it up.

'Tards on the warpath

Wow. I really didn't think I'd be blogging about baseball anymore since my bums got eliminated. But I got curious about the American League contest so I checked the listings. Surprisingly, I was nudged back into baseball blogging. It seems that our old friends, the PETArds, are at it again:

Shane Victorino's abiding love for Spam dish angers PETA
By 'Duk

Shane Victorino has finally arrived.

And I say that not because of the grand slam he hit off CC Sabathia in the NLDS, the onfield brawl he almost sparked with the Dodgers in Game Three of the NLCS or the game-tying two-run homer he hit in Game Four.

I say that because the Phillies centerfielder has finally become enough of a public figure to draw the ire of PETA, a fine group of folks who never met a publicity opportunity they didn't take advantage of.

Yes, it seems the one Mr. Shane Victorino has come under the ire of the PETArds. And why?

Well, he has publicly declared that Spam musubi is his favorite food in the entire world.

Okay, I have no idea what "musubi" is, but despite the jokes everyone makes about it, I actually like Spam.

Even though many of us have an aversion to the blue-and-yellow can...

Heathen.

...the pork product-'n-rice treat is actually very popular in Victorino's native Hawaii.

Well good for them.

But the Flyin' Fryin' Hawaiian's love for a local delicacy doesn't quite fly with PETA and they're using the opportunity to shed light on a recent investigation they did on Hormel's pork suppliers:

"We suspect that the cruelty in every can of Spam will infuriate Shane more than a high Hiroki Kuroda fastball," says Shannon. "If Shane likes Spam a lot, he should buy tickets to the Broadway play but leave it off his dinner plate."

Shannon also sent Victorino a letter detailing Hormel's abuses (read it here) as well as a reminder that it once named Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Ballpark the most vegetarian-friendly in the major leagues.

"The most vegetarian-friendly in the major leagues." NOT a recommendation in my book.

PETA certainly has a right to raise awareness of their issues, but here's one thing I don't think Shannon took into account before making this protest public: If the Phillies win the World Series, can you imagine just how many Phillies fans will either buy cans of Spam, either to send to Victorino or have him autograph them at the victory parade? Don't forget about the Victorino-as-a-Spam can costumes, such as this one.

Heck, with the way he's been performing this postseason, I wouldn't be surprised to see Philadelphians work a bit of Spam into their cheesesteaks.

Oh, that would be cool. As long as they don't take out the steak.

On the upside

Well, no baseball upside. But I thought I would mention how much I'm enjoying Dick Francis novels on CD (and tape). I wish I'd started reading him years ago.

Jeez, c'mon guys

By Bums are playing like... bums. Get it together, guys.

UPDATE: PHHHHHHTTTTTTTT!

For Val

"Desi at his badass best"

Some Sartorial Advice for Brian Setzer

Dude, I love your version of "In The Mood", but really now. The tank-top/tattoos are great when you're reviving Rock 'n' Roll, but I gotta tell ya, when you're doing a great job of reviving the Big Ban Era, you really should try a different look.

Like this:



Much nicer and more appropriate. Thanks for listening and keep up the good work.

That Big Band Sound

Gads, how I love it. Y'all know that I am a Rock and Rollster, and a fan of Country/Western. But I also have a MAJOR weakness for the Big Band Sound, especially Glenn Miller.

Here is The Glenn Miller Orchestra with their greatest single piece:



GAWD how I love that piece. And this one:



And here is Glenn Miller with the Sainted Dorothy Dandridge and the Sainted Nicholas Brothers. Oh man, just dig it:



And bless his little pea pickin' heart, I love how Brian Setzer has taken up the furtherance of Big Band (embedding disabled, dammit). I just kinda wish he'd put on a shirt while doing so. Tattoos are really out of place here.

Embedding is also disabled on this one by the Sainted Andrews Sisters. Fortunately, this one (of the same bit from the movie "Buck Privates") is embeddable. Be still my heart:



Also embeddable is this great version of BWBB:

Wow. Cool.

It's listed as "Dean Martin and Kate Smith", but Lucille Ball is there too.



Damn, just listen to it.

It's Family picture time!

Once again, time to inflict on you some family pictures.

Mom's family, circa 1950:

That would be Grandpa on the left, Aunt Belle, Grandma, and Mom on the right.

Cousin Ray:

Technically, my Grandpa's cousin. I remember him well, though at a much greater age than in this picture. This would be from WWI. He was born in 1895, and live to the ripe old age of 94.

Here are some of Mom's cousins I never got to meet.

Cousin Merle:


Cousin Nell:


Cousin Winnie:


I think I've mentioned before that all of my Mom's cousins on that side were far older than she. Merle and Winnie were daughters of Uncle Joe, and both more than 30 years older than Mom. I'm not certain about Nell, I think she was daughter to Uncle Jim but Nell was a nickname so I can't be sure of her real name.

Anyway, here is Cousin Janet:


I met her recently for the first time. She is, in fact, a second cousin to me and of the same generation, though nearly 30 years older (about the same age as Auntie, in fact), as a granddaughter of Uncle Jim (older brother of Grandpa and Uncle Joe). She talked about how Mom would have lunch with her when she was in the area for chemo treatments. I met Janet's sister a couple of years ago when Auntie passed away, but had never met Janet until just a few months ago.

Just a touch of melancholy

So after getting (part of) dinner in the crock pot, and slaughtering the back lawn with Round-Up (in preparation of transforming it next weekend by tototiller), and mowing, pulling weeds in the veggie garden, sulking because it's too goddam windy to have a bike ride, and getting ready to cook the rest of dinner, I took a little teeny bit of time on the computrifier. Looked up some family.

Mom. Dad. Baby Bro. All interred here.

Just a little sad at the moment.

Observation

Once in a while, you need to revisit corporate mythology and challenge the received wisdom.

No particular reason, I just had to post this

Popped into my head this evening. The dear Emily posted it some years ago (link will not work soon) and I just had to save it for posterity because it's so good. Also because I will have a glass of the "good whiskey" here shortly:

The Whiskey Speech

My friends,
I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.

If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

But, if when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.

-Then-Representative Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat, Jr., delivered before the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1952 during a debate regarding the legalization of alcohol.

Damn, I love that speech.

My buddy Julie also passed this along

And I would have sworn I posted on this last night but apparently not. For any readers in the Houston area, there will be a benefit for the family of slain DEA agent Tom Byrne, killed in the line of duty. More details from Julie's email:

On August 30th, Tom Byrne was killed in the line of duty. Tom was a Special Agent in the DEA and leaves a wife and four young boys, all under the age of 10. A benefit has been organized to help Tom’s family, including a silent auction. The benefit is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th, 1:00 – 4:00 at the Legends Sports Complex in The Woodlands. There will be lots of activities for the kids and grandkids.

Please feel free to bring others or to pass this along to neighbors and family.

Legends Sports Complex
Sunday, October 19th 1:00-4:00pm
602 Pruitt Rd, Spring TX
BBQ Plates, Bounce House & kids activities, Raffle & Silent Auction
Silent Auction Items Including:
Sweet & Sassy Party
Vino 100 Wine Tasting
Dinners from Area Restaurants
Signed Sports Memorabilia
Video Game Systems
Memberships & Training sessions from Legends & Much, Much, More!!!
All proceeds will go directly to the Byrne Family

[Me again: If you can help with donations or publicity, please do so]

My dear buddy Julie sent this along

I WILL own this CD.

The Sainted Marilyn McCoo. Be still my heart.

Sadly, the Good Sir Ron Townson has passed away, but the rest of this magnificent crew seem to be doing well.

I want a new job title

I think I'd like "Corporate Mythologist".

Congratulations are in order!

Regular 'Pints commenter Holly has had her baby! Get over there and say congrats!

And from the description she gives here, the young feller may become a regular at the FFOT (in about 18 years).

UPDATE: Picture!

Jokes

Okay, still in a Kingston Trio mood. This is from their last session together, I'm not sure if it's 2007 or 2008. But I love the jokes, herewith noted:

Fella hears a scratching at his door. He opens the door and sees a snail. He grabs the snail and throws it out into the woods.

Three months later, he hears a scratching at his door. He opens the door and sees the same snail.

The snail says, "So what was that all about?"

Heh.

Another:

So this guy goes out in the woods and shoots a deer. He packs it on his back, heading for his truck, but runs into a game warden.

Game warden says, "You know, there's no hunting here now."

Guy says, "I haven't been hunting."

Warden says, "What's that on your shoulder?"

Guy looks over his shoulder, and says "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Heh. Stories told in real time here.

That would be their last performance together. RIP Nick. You did some great stuff.

Folk Music Trivia (Kingston Trio Edition)

Well, not really. Sorry. No trivia this week. I took too much of my limited free time putting together this video. But I was saddened by the death of Kingston founding member Nick Reynolds, so I thought I would pay a little tribute to him.

Aside from the REALLY well known stuff I like, such as "M.T.A." and "Reverend Mr. Black", there are a couple I love that are perhaps less well known. This one quite a few people know, even if it's not so widely known as those above:



And this one is one of my alltime favorites, but I bet not one in ten people these days have heard it:



Rest in Peace, Nick. You brought a lot of smiles to my face.

UPDATE: Alright, what the heck. I'll add a few more. Here is "The Reverend Mr. Black":



And here is one of my all time favorites, "M.T.A.":



And here, at the risk of losing my RWDB cred, is another favorite - I like the sentiment, though I realize the naivete of it, plus I love both "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "Early Morning Rain". Another version to be posted in a few, just because I like the jokes. In any case, here the guys are on "The Andy Williams Show" more than forty years ago:

For Emily whever you may find her

My very last post here at 'Pints. The last administrative announcement is here.

And my eternal thanks to the dearest Emily for providing me a blogosphere presence for these many years. I love you, doll, you're a mensch. More below the fold:

I love you, doll. I had played with the idea of blogging, but you made it real. You gave me a platform to spout nonsense, rant incoherently, and to shout to the world how proud I am of my little girls (who are not so little anymore). And for that, you will always have a place in my heart. And even though we are moving on and will not be in this particular locale in the future, please know that I will never forget you, nor you love for the COUNTRY MUSIC GOD THAT IS ROGER MILLER. And with that in mind, my dearest Emily, here is a small trubute. Enjoy.



Crossposted at the late, eternally lamented, It Comes in Pints?.

You have no idea how sad I am right now.

Another bummer

Bummer.

Virgin Galactic rejects $1 million space porn

Unidentified party offered big bucks to film porn participants in zero gravity

Dumbasses

Sometimes they are so amusing.

Man gets burned while using lighter to siphon gas

MUKWONAGO, Wis. - Police said a man was arrested after he used a cigarette lighter while trying to siphon gasoline from a van. The man, who was visiting friends, went to drive home early Saturday but realized that he didn't have enough gas in his SUV.

Police said the man tried to siphon the gas with help from another woman, but he couldn't see how much gas was in the container, so he used the lighter to check.

Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

But on a happier musical note

Local RDWB has been playing this song so I thought I'd embed the video.

Bummer, man

Bummer.

Kingston Trio's Nick Reynolds, 75, dies in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nick Reynolds, a founding member of the Kingston Trio who jump-started the revival folk scene of the late 1950s and paved the way for artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, has died. He was 75.

I love these guys. RIP dude.

Most excellent, Fly!

HA HA HA! Nicely done, Grasshopper!

Aw Shucks

Mr. Clean has died.